Taking Charge Of My Care

[joyfulmother]

I posted yesterday (or the day before) about getting dehydrated and having low blood pressure.  Yesterday the nurse had me taking it easy with my feet propped up eating salty food and extra fluids.

At the end of the day, the doctor called in a medication that will help raise my blood pressure.  I have to be careful to quit taking it if the top number reaches 110.

I hate being scared and nervous and concerned all the time.  I know the nurses and doctors have the inside information - such as what drugs will do or how long it will take for something to work - but I don't.  How am I supposed to know if I should be worried about my blood pressure being so low.  I know they are treating it but I hate not knowing.  How low is too low?  And most of all, I don't want to become a pest.  I don't want to become the patient that they roll their eyes at when I call and think, "Oh, it is just Becky calling again."

This probably doesn't make much sense to you - but maybe it does.  Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated.

[KICKSTART]

Dont you worry about being a pest , if there is something you dont understand ask your doctor to explain it to you , tell them you are worried. I have always had b.p. problems mine is the other extreme ..way to high ! Do you not have a b.p. monitor ? i do my b.p. everyday with one. Getting hold of one might put your mind at ease then you can see for yourself how your b.p is doing day to day . It also helps if you note it down everyday then when you go to clinic take it with you so they can see whats going on. 

[joyfulmother]

I do have a blood pressure monitor and I am probably checking it too much.  right now it is 84/59

[peleroja]

When I first started on the PD cycler, I began getting readings of less than 100 systolic and less than 60 diastolic.  They took me off my BP meds and told me to drink more fluid.  I could be wrong, but it seems like you need to drink more fluid.

[KICKSTART]

Thats a very low b.p. i would also say you need more fluid, has no one said anything about it being so low? I would tell your renal doctor or nurse about it see what they say and not worry about being a pest !

[Wenchie58]

Depends on the person, that is about a normal bp for my daughter and she is healthy.  Thing is she is 29, 4'11" and 115 lbs....has two kids she chases all day..so she is in pretty good shape.  Her docs arent concerned.  if she gets up to 100/70 she wonders whats stressing her body!  LOL

[joyfulmother]

Depends on the person, that is about a normal bp for my daughter and she is healthy.  Thing is she is 29, 4'11" and 115 lbs....has two kids she chases all day..so she is in pretty good shape.  Her docs arent concerned.  if she gets up to 100/70 she wonders whats stressing her body!  LOL

This helps.

[Wenchie58]

Also, don't worry about being a pest to your doctor...let them roll their eyes.  I had a medical receptionist tell me I was a "pain".  I explained to her very gently that she needed to "get over it" cuz I am not about to quit asking questions.